Silvertip pipeline to be replaced

On Friday, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation issued a temporary construction license to ExxonMobil Pipeline Company for the replacement of its damaged Silvertip Pipeline beneath the Yellowstone River south of Laurel, Mont.

DNRC authorized the permit after conducting an Environmental Assessment and public comment period on the proposed project under the Montana Environmental Policy Act. A total of 21 public comments were received, noted DNRC Director Mary Sexton.

“As a whole, comments focused on the importance of doing this project right — from pipeline depth and location to engineering, construction standards and materials,” said Sexton.